Movable platform between metallurgical furnaces



J1me 1970 HEINRICH-KARL MAHRINGER ETAI- ,517,771

MOVABLE PLATFORM BETWEEN. METALLURGICAL FURNACES Filed Dec. 28, 1967 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnyenton HEINRICH-MR1 MAW/M6612 KARL HE/NZ L ANGL/TZ ATTORNEYS June 30, 1970 HEINRICH-KARL MAHRINGER ETAL 3,517,771

MOVABLE PLATFORM BETWEEN METALLURGICAL FURNACES File d Dec. 28, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor:

///NE/CH-KARL MAW/eaves; mm wswz 1. A -64 rz 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LE E E FICIL FELL Inventors HEINRICH-KARL MAME/M6612 K421 HEM/Z LANGl/TZ J1me 1970 HEINRICH-KARL MAHRINGER 1 MOVABLE PLATFORM BETWEEN METALLURGICAL FURNACES Filed Dec. 28, 1967 Mgr United States Patent Office Int. Cl. E04 1/18, N36

US. Cl. 1S2141 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for relining a steel mill converter with bricks includes a wheeled travel frame which may be rolled into position beneath a furnace and which carries a working platform which is supported by means of extenda-ble lifting rods which are retractible into cylinders carried on the travel frame in a manner such that the platform may be shifted from the top of the travel frame to a position far above the top. The guide lifting rods for the platform are attached to the upper edge of the travel frame so that a greater part of their length extends from the upper edge downwardly to the lower edge of the travel frame. Associated with the platform are a plurality of telescopic rods which may be extended upwardly to the whole height of the platform and which form guides for travel basket such as an elevator cage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to metallurgical furnace repairing equipment, and in particular to a new and useful movable scaffold or platform for facilitating the relining of a metallurgical furnace or converter and including a frame which supports receiving cylinders for telescopic support members of a work platform which may be lifted on the support members to position workmen and material at an elevation to permit the relining of the inside of the coverter.

The movable platform of the present invention is particularly applicable for use in the lining of a steel mill converter with brick wherein the converter has a removable bottom plate which may be opened to permit the elevation of a working platform into the converter for the relining purposes. A principal requirement for such adjustable platforms and scaffolds is that they be rapidly erectable in order that the relining operation be carried out as fast as possible so that there is a minimum loss of operating time of the vessels which are to be relined. The scaffolds must remain stable at any height level and they must be capable of sustaining the load of the bricks, the opening tools and the personnel necessary to effect the relining operation. The loads produced by the brick material alone are very great and they are not always balanced on all sides with respect to the supporting points of the platform. While the area of the platform has necessarily increased because of the larger converter vessels which are employed and which have up to several hundred tons of capacity, the progress of the work is still hindered by the arrival and forwarding of large quantities of relining bricks. In addition, an absolutely safe working station for the operating crew is required. Difliculties are thereby still encountered for the transportation of the personnel from and to the working statlon.

At the present time it is known to employ various sizes of pipe columns, which are interconnected and which are made height-adjustable by means of joints, for the purpose of supporting a platform for the workers 3,517,771 Patented June 30, 1970 who are relining the interiors of reaction furnaces. The assembly and disassembly of such pipe columns is done in steps in accordance with the length of the various pipes. A pipe column having an appropriately large diameter offers the advantage that one is able to transport the brick material completely protected within the interior of the pipe column, and in some instances even personnel are transported upwardly in this manner. Platforms of this nature are constructed in the manner of building blocks, one after the other, and hence the erection and disassembly thereof is time-consuming. Other types of metallurgical furnace brick relining platforms are known such as those which include all of the lifting equipment in a single car and which also might include a brick elevator. With such devices, however, the car either has to be lifted off the track over which it runs and fastened adjacent the edge of the bottom of the converter, or else must be dimensioned to obtain the necessary strength so that the portion of the device which extends between the converter bottom and the trackway must be considered in order to provide a stable platform. The necessary equipment for providing such a stable platform is very expensive and it is difficult to operate and requires great weights of materials so that the supporting car has to be comparably strengthened.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for facilitating the relining of metallurgical furnaces which includes a movable frame which advantageously carries wheels which are movable along a defined trackway in order that the frame may be positioned in association with a converter which is to be relined. The frame carries a guide housing for several telescoping lifting rods such as actuators, screw jacks or pistons which are connected at their upper ends to a support platform. The guide housings are attached to the upper edge of the traveling frame in a manner such that the greater part of their length reaches from the edge downwardly to the vicinity of the track. With such an arrangement, it is not necessary that the whole structure be reinforced since the telescopic supporting elements may be of a sufficient number to provide light weight uniform support for a platform at a very high elevation. The use of the telescopic elements permits the utilization of the space between the converter bottom opening and the trackway below the converter which, up to the present time, could not be used to accommodate the guides for the lifting devices. By making the wheeled frame so that it is a height which is slightly below the location of the bottom opening of a converter furnace it is possible to carry the platform on the telescopic guides of the frame at an elevation at which it would be ready for the beginning of the relining operation adjacent the bottom of the converter.

In accordance with a further feature of the construction, a plurality of guide rods are secured to the platform and are retained in cylinders carried on the frame. The guide rods may be extended upwardly with the platform and provide means for guiding a traveling basket such as an elevator, for example. When the platform is extended, the guide rods for the elevator are also extended so that the elevator basket may be easily moved up to the level of the platform on guide rods which are automatically positioned with the lifting of the working platform. The platform carries a lifting device such as a winch providing means for raising and lowering the traveling basket. With such a construction, it is not necessary to have complicated gear lifting elements, but the lifting function may be carried out by the lifting winch which permits a certain amount of flexibility and sturdiness for such a device. The lifting device includes a ji-b crane whose outrigger and column are retractible into the surface of the working platform. It is thus possible to move the travel frame to a position below the converter vessel without there being any danger that the lifting mechanism for the elevator basket will contact the bottom of the converter. Drive units such as electric and fluid motors or pumps and the necessary gearing are carried at approximately the level of the upper edge of the travel frame. Additional driving units for the travel basket are disposed on the underside of the working platform in a spot which will be protected during the operation and it will move upwardly and downwardly with the platform and be contained at the level at the top of the frame when the platform is in a retracted position.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a device particularly for relining the brickwork of a metallurgical furnace or converter which includes a frame carrying cylinders for a plurality of telescopic elements which are connected to a support platform which may be raised above the frame and wherein the cylinders are located so that they extend downwardly from the top of the frame to permit lowering of the platform substantially to the height of the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Wheeled frame which includes a plurality of storage cylinders for accommodating pistons, screws, jacks and the like which may be stored in a position extending downwardly from the top of the frame and which includes elements which may be moved outwardly to raise a platform above the frame and support it at a selected elevation for carrying out work at such elevated location and which also includes a plurality of telescopic guide elements which are carried by the platform and which extend downwardly below the top level of the frame substantially to ground level and provide means for guiding a movable basket such as an elevator cage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which may be moved below a converter furnace for positioning a movable platform upwardly into the furnace and which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a movable frame with adjustable platform constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the platform and the converter in which it is located; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the platform indicated in FIG. 1 below the converter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a device for facilitating the relining of a converter with bricks or movable frame support platform generally designated 50 which is arranged below the open bottom 6 of a converter vessel 1.

In accordance with the invention, the movable frame support platform 50 includes a frame portion or travel frame 2 having corner legs 2a of considerable height. Each leg 2a carries a wheel 4 to permit the frame supporting platform 50 to be moved over a trackway or ground path 5 in order to position the device below the open bottom end 6 of the converter 1. When the travel frame 2 is positioned below the open mouth, the platform 7 carried thereby can be lifted to any desired height position within the inner converter chamber 11 by means of telescoping lifting rods 8, 9 and 10. A feature of the construction is that the telescopic lifting rods 8, 9 and 10 are retractible into guides tubes or guide cylinders 12, 13 and 14, respectively, which are supported within tubular flange elemetns 15, 16 and 17 mounted at the top of the platform on a top wall 18. The construction is such that the guide housings 12, 13 and 14 reach downwardly substantially to a track a which is at the level of the ground 5 so that the telescopic elements 8, 9 and and 8', 9' and 10 may be stored therewithin without increasing the height of the traveling frame 2.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, guide sleeves 21 and 22 are similarly anchored to the top wall 18 of the traveling frame 2 and they accommodate telescopic elements or guides 19 and 20 and 19' and 20' in a manner similar to the housings 12 and 14 for the platform supporting elements. The telescopic elements 19 and 20 define guides for a travel basket or elevator 23 which may be raised to the position indicated in FIG. 1 at which it extends above the platform 7 or moves downwardly to the position indicated in FIG. 3 at which it is located substantially at ground level.

The travel basket 23 is formed of a tubular frame carrying pivoting roller pairs 25 and 26 which engage on opposite sides against the respective guide rods 19 and 20 (see FIG. 2). The basket 23 can move through a cutout 27 defined in the platform 7. In this manner it is possible to guide the basket without swinging, and at the same time, by constructing the basket with suitable closing wires, it will satisfy the safety regulations for transporting operating personnel.

A further feature of the invention is that the platform 7 carries a jib crane generally designated 28 which includes a cantilever arm 28 having a pulley 51 which provides a suspension for the basket cable or hoisting rope 30. The jib crane 28 also includes an arm 31 having an upper pivot joint 32 for the cantilever arm 29 and a lower joint 33 which permits the jib crane 28 to be pivoted and retracted into the surface of the platform 7 in order to keep the overall height of the traveling platform 50 to a minimum. In addition, the upper portions of the guides 18! and 20 may be retracted downwardly into the tubular holding elements 53, 53 of the platform 7.

A winch 35 and a motor or gear box 36 for the hoistening rope 30 is mounted at the underside of the working platform 7 in a framework 34. The upper surface 18 of the travel frame 2 also carries drive units such as a motor 37 and associated gear elements, pressure reservoirs and pumps for the purpose of lifting and lowering the telescopic lifting elements 8, 9 and 10. The construction is such that a single one or all of the lifting elements may be raised or lowered by power supplied thereto such as by hydraulic power.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the travel basket 23 may be lowered to substantially ground level and it may be either filled with operating personnel or materials for working at the platform level. As shown in FIG. 3, the wheeled frame may be driven into the space beneath the converter 1 and the jib crane 28 erected after it is in position. Material such as bricks may be supported on a lifting member 52 which may be employed to swing the materials to a location at which they may be positioned on the platform 7 or in the cage 23. A fork-lift truck 54 is indicated in a position in which it may be moved for supplying additional materials 56.

The platform 7 advantageously includes outwardly extendable telescopic side portions 58 to permit expansion of the width once the platform is located within the converter 1.

The movable platform 50, therefore, comprises a sturdy transportable unit which includes means for supporting a platform 7 at an elevated location in a manner such that it will be sturdy and will support a heavy brickload and personnel load. All of the lifting elements for the platform and the associated mechanism for the lowering and raising of the elevator are carried on the frame in a location at which the device occupies a minimum of space and height. A fundamental feature of the construction is that both the platform and the associated traveling basket 23 are always in a position at which they may be readily utilized at any selected elevation and the elevator cage 23 will be accessible to the platform 7.

A further feature of the construction is that all of the elements are easily accessible for ready servicing.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for facilitating the relining of metallurgical furnaces such as converters having an open bottom comprising a transportable frame having a top wall supported at an elevation above ground level, at least one guide housing, suspended from said top wall and having the greater part of its length extending downwardly from said top wall to approximately ground level, a lifting platform adapted to be moved into the converter, and a telescopic platform supporting and lifting rod of a size such. that a major portion thereof may be retracted into said housing and being connected to said platform, said platform supporting rod being movable upwardly out of said guide housing to elevate said platform sufficiently to move it upwardly into the converter along a major portion of the light thereof.

2. A device according to claim 1, including at least one elevator guide rod connected to said platform and providing means for guiding a travel basket from ground level to said platform, a storage tube for said elevator guide rod carried on said frame and extending downwardly substantially to ground level to form a guide for said elevator for moving from ground level to said platform.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said platform supporting rod and said elevator guide rod are extendable and retractable together upon raising and lowering of said platform.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said platform has an opening therethrough, said elevator guide rod being movable upwardly f om the top of said platform, and an elevator cage guided on said guide rod and being movable through the opening of said platform to a position above said platform.

5. A device according to claim 2, including a jib crane on said platform for suspending an elevator adjacent said elevator rod for movement upwardly and downwardly in respect to said platform.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said jib crane is retractable into the surface of said platform.

7. A device according to claim 1, including an elevator movable between said platform and ground level and wherein said elevator includes elevator guide means bearing against said guide rod. k

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said elevator guide means includes at least one roller set having a roller bearing inwardly against said guide rod from respective opposite sides thereof.

9. A movable platform-support-frame comprising a portable frame adapted to be moved along the ground and having a top wall at a spaced location above the ground, a platform adapted to be moved upwardly above said frame, a plurality of spaced guide housings suspended from said top wall and having a major portion extending downwardly from said top Wall to a location adjacent the ground, at least one telescopic supporting and lifting rod member being retractible and extendable in respect to each of said housings and connected to said platform and supporting said platform at a selected elevation in accordance with the position of said supporting and lifting rod member in relation to said guide housing, an elevator guide tube carried on said frame and having a major portion thereof extending downwardly below said top wall to the vicinity of the ground, an elevator guide rod telescopic within said guide tube and connected to said platform and being extensible with said platform to define an elevator guide for an elevator extending upwardly to said platform, and an elevator member guided on said guide rod from between substantially ground level to said platform.

10. A movable platform-support frame according to claim 9, wherein said elevator guide rod extends above said platform, said platform having an opening through which said elevator is movable so that said elevator may be positioned above said platform.

11. A movable platform-support frame according to claim 9, including a lifting member carried on said platform being located over the opening thereof for raising and lowering said elevator.

12. A movable platform-support frame according to claim 9, wherein said platform includes laterally extending portions which may be expanded after said platform is located, for example, within a converter.

13. A movable platform-support frame according to claim 9, including drive means for driving said elevator connected to said platform and located beneath said platform.

14. A movable platform-support frame according to claim 9, including drive means for raising and lowering said telescopic sections mounted on said top wall below said platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,091,305 5/1963 Pickard et al. 182-63 3,166,154 1/1965 Titzel 182128 3,168,163 2/1965 Prosser l82128 3,256,956 6/1966 Puhringer 182-128 3,259,208 7/1966 Behr 182-128 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 182128, 63 

